Studies and Research

Published:
1/6/2015 2:10 PM

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Within recent years, several studies and initiatives at national and local levels have been conducted that are integral to education technology within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Several studies yield recommendations that directly impact the strategic direction of KETS. This section contains a brief summary of each related connection with a link to the full publication. These connections collectively drive our efforts on a daily basis.​

Main Content

Report of the Task Force on Student Access to Technology (2012 Senate Bill 95)- Published in November 2012 by Kentucky's Legislative Research Commission, this document outlines recommendations for KDE and the General Assembly to provide 5th and 6th grade students with access to computing devices for school and home use as well as statewide availability of broadband access necessary to use the devices. In addition to the national perspective, state and school initiatives are outlined within this research memorandum, including key questions that should be asked by districts when implementing a mobile computing device program.

OEA Review of Education Technology Initiatives - This 2009 publication is the result of the Office of Education Accountability’s (OEA's) review of Kentucky’s education technology, inclusive of funding, governance and status of related initiatives and projects. The study names several accomplishments as well as some areas in need of improvement.

Accomplishments

Increased Opportunities

Access

Kentucky Education Technology System Master Plan

Deployment

Operational Efficiency

Areas Needing Improvement

Governance

Security

Evaluation of Impact of Technology Initiatives

Financial Data

Individual Learning Plans

Virtual Learning Initiatives

2011 Facilities Assessment Project - A majority of Kentucky school facilities was evaluated and assigned a score for each key area. The aggregate score for technology readiness was 89.9 percent, which reflects the progress made by districts in recent years.

Kentucky Long Term Policy Research Center (KLTPRC) - Created by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1992, the KLTPRC was envisioned as an independent research entity that would be able to help the Commonwealth take advantage of opportunities and avoid problems. Funding for the KLTPRC was suspended in 2010 due to an overall dire budget situation, but most of the work, a great deal of which centers on education, has been preserved on its website. The link takes one directly to research focused on education.

KDE Data System Portfolio Assessment - Commissioned by the Kentucky Department of Education to identify redundancy among data systems, the Commonwealth Office of Technology’s (COT) data system survey was accomplished over a period of a year, recorded 190 separate systems and provided the department with recommendations to improve efficiency, data integrity and data security.

2008 America's Digital Schools Study - Excerpted from the study: "ADS 2008 is an invaluable source of hard data for long-range planning, essential for both education and industry leaders" around areas essential for technology success, such as teacher buy-in, professional development and understanding Total Cost of Ownership.

The Technology Factor: Nine Keys to Student Achievement and Cost-Effectiveness - Project Red, the group responsible for this study, seeks to understand and define the specific implementation strategies that are successfully transforming schools with technology. Project RED has identified the nine key implementation factors (KIFs) that are linked most strongly to the education success measures.

Intervention classes: Technology is integrated into every intervention class period.

Change management leadership by principal: Leaders provide time for teacher professional learning and collaboration at least monthly.

Online collaboration: Students use technology daily for online collaboration (games/simulations and social media).

Core subjects: Technology is integrated into core curriculum weekly or more frequently.

Online formative assessments: Assessments are done at least weekly.

Student-computer ratio: Lower ratios improve outcomes.

Virtual field trips: With more frequent use, virtual trips are more powerful. The best schools do these at least monthly.

Search engines: Students use daily.

Principal training: Principals are trained in teacher buy-in, best practices, and technology-transformed learning

The New 3 E’s of Education: Enabled, Engaged, Empowered – A national initiative of Project Tomorrow, the Speak Up National Research Project annually polls K-12 students, parents, and educators about the role of technology for learning both inside and outside the classroom. Published in the spring of 2011, the Speak Up 2010 National Findings indicate the following key trends are on the rise in within education.

Mobile Learning– As the number of personally-owned mobile devices continues to increase within the K-12 environment, so does the interest in leveraging these devices within the classroom.

Online and Blended Learning – Encompassing self-study online courses, instructor-led online classes as well as blending/hybrid learning environments, this area has gained significant popularity in recent years.

E-textbooks– Although interest has increased, the actual use of electronic textbooks remains an emerging trend in most schools and communities.

The complete report, subtitled How Today’s Educators are Advancing a New Vision for Teaching and Learning is concise yet informative and serves as an excellent resource for education technology leaders and teachers.